Swiftie Secrets: The Eras Tour VIP Experience

Our time finally came to attend The Eras Tour in Hamburg, Germany! After trying so hard to get tickets in the U.S., my friend Sarah and I were able to get selected to a few shows internationally. We had the most luck getting into the Hamburg show, where there were only VIP 6 - We Never Go Out of Style Package left, so we snagged four tickets around 4 a.m. ET due to the time change. If you’re wondering why it’s so hard to get tickets in the U.S., we can definitely dig into that deeper in another post, but for now, I’ll talk about attending the actual show and what you can expect from where our tickets were located.

I’ll start off by saying each stadium is different based on what the VIP seating/standing is like. For us at Volksparkstadion in Hamburg, VIP 1 and VIP 6 were both standing – the rest of the VIP packages were sitting (to my knowledge). VIP 1 had the sides of the stage (the infamous “diamond” you should try to be by if you get this package) and then VIP 6 (our tickets) was at the front of the stage.

We got to Hamburg in the early morning the day before the concert. We went to get our VIP package and check out the line situation around 11:30 a.m. They had a VIP waiting line and a general admission (GA) line both going. The people at the very front of the VIP line said they got there at midnight, and the groups following got there between 4:15-8 a.m., then the rest around when we got there. The line wasn’t horrible, and I think you’d still get a good spot if you got there at noon. Entry to the show as around 3 p.m., so they had to stick it out until then. I’m not sure if each venue is like this, but there was easy access to restrooms, food, drinks, and alcohol. The fans also passed back a marker to mark the number you are in line so if you left, you knew you could get your spot back.

We decided to go around 11:30 a.m. again the next day to line up in our VIP queue. There were four of us and we got numbers 417-420. It really wasn’t a bad wait. We had some drinks and brought food. We got to meet all the fans around us and exchange bracelets. It was a lot of fun! We started making our way into the stadium around 2:30 p.m., but it did take a long time with so many people. I do wish we got there a bit earlier, so we were closer to the beginning of the entry, but in the end, I’m not sure that mattered. Some security lines took longer than others, so people easily snuck ahead after going through security. As soon as we entered the stadium, we ran to snag our spots. We got about three rows back, so we were happy! The only issue was a few tall people in front of us, so that made it difficult when Taylor wasn’t at our end of the stage, but we could see her well on the screens. It's important to note that once VIP are in, the GA will eventually come in next and fill the area. This will make it more difficult to leave if you have to, so definitely try to take care of business before then if you can!

Sandy, Sarah, and myself before the show

Paramore started around 6:30 p.m., so it was a bit of a wait inside. I was happy that we had bathrooms really close to us with barely any lines – one advantage of VIP at this stadium. The tricky part was if you had to use one, you have a risk of losing your spot. We all took turns and went before Paramore started. I was last and had a tough time getting back in, but finally made it thank goodness! As much as I wanted a beer, I held off so I didn’t risk having to leave my spot. The stadium was great about giving away free water though. They had it going throughout the wait and entire show. I took little sips here and there, but luckily it wasn’t that hot where anyone felt heavily impacted by the heat.

Paramore had a GREAT set! I absolutely loved watching them perform. Taylor Swift came on shortly after Paramore – maybe three minutes or so – we were glad we didn’t have to wait long! And the rest of the show is history. We absolutely loved it. The only complaint I have is that it is OVER! I mean, look at how close we were for the surprise songs?!

Taylor Swift performed a mashup of "Nothing New" and "Dear Reader" on the piano for a surprise song.

Leaving the stadium was a bit chaotic, but Hamburg had the trains lined up for us which made it easier once you got the train station. You also didn’t have to pay which was nice. Be sure to check if you get emails about transportation for the shows because it may save you a lot of time before and after the show, especially after.

Lastly, I will leave you with some tips for the show:

• Bring hand sanitizer and a portable charger.

• Stay hydrated. I know this is hard if you are nervous to lose your spot if you're in a standing area, but it's really important so you don't get sick and hurt yourself (and not to mention, miss the concert you've been waiting for)!

• Wear comfortable shoes if in the standing area.

• Don't worry about your outfit. There is a mix of casual and dressy outfits.

• Be mindful of when you are using your phone to record/take photos. The people around you may not be able to see what is happening.

• Check if the venue you are going to is cashless or prefers cash.

• Be ready to be patient and flexible with departing the venue if transportation isn't easy. If you are able to get a hotel near the venue, that would be ideal.
  

I'm going to get to a post eventually with all of the videos and photos from the concert. For now, you can check out some of them on our Instagram page @bestiesbetrippin and on my TikTok @travelingdoglover (I can at least put the longer videos on TikTok)!

What was your Eras Tour experience like?!